European visitors failed to grasp local names or geography

Early European visitors to the region were keen to report home on what seemed to them to be an exotic and primitive location. In this extract from the Persian Gulf Pilot, produced by the Admiralty Hydrographic Office in London in 1864, Captain Constable and Lt Stiffe make contact with the Emiratis, but fail to grasp the local spellings or geography. "Abu Thabi is the most populous town on the coast. It stands on the west extremity of the country of Omman, and is the chief town of the great Beni Yas tribe, and under an independent chief. The first establishment here of the tribe took place 100 years ago.

"The town extends for near 2 miles along the shore; a 2 miles S.W. of the fort is the entrance to a large bay or backwater, 3½ miles wide at the entrance, and extending possibly 20 miles into the interior, and there are several islands in it; the greater part is shallow, but there are many deep channels; it has not been sounded. "By its connection with Khor Laffan it makes an island of the land on which the town stands; but there is one part fordable at low water. A few stunted date trees, about a mile inland of the town, are the only vegetation seen from this place.

"The town contains about 20,000 inhabitants and there are some Baniyans here. It sends 600 boats to the pearl fishery. "This tribe is a fine race of men; they wear the hair long over the shoulders, twisted up in plaits. The chief is very friendly to the English. Cattle might be obtained here; but the only water found is exceedingly brackish, all the good water being brought from Debay [Dubai]; and as it is sold at the rate of one keran for two or three goat skins or mussuks-full, it can only be afforded by the richer class.

"The Abu Thabi fishing boats, out of the pearl season, are found at every island, crek, &c., between this place and Khor al Adeid [now in Qatar]; the chief of this place claiming the sovereignty over the intermediate coast. His authority is nominally recognized also by the Beduin on this part of the coast." * The National